2016
The Tallest Tower
Created by The Shadow Chateau for CubaDupa (March 2016)
A second collaboration with Anna Bailey and second production at CubaDupa, with many improvements such as a nook down a nice dark alleyway to set up.
A woodcutter wants to build a cottage in the forest, but someone else got there first and claims he's the king. The woodcutter is quickly co-opted in to the king's foolish plans, but thankfully the creatures and trees of the forest are on his side.
Created by The Shadow Chateau for CubaDupa (March 2016)
A second collaboration with Anna Bailey and second production at CubaDupa, with many improvements such as a nook down a nice dark alleyway to set up.
A woodcutter wants to build a cottage in the forest, but someone else got there first and claims he's the king. The woodcutter is quickly co-opted in to the king's foolish plans, but thankfully the creatures and trees of the forest are on his side.
Sloths At Sunrise
Created with Marika Pratley at Kiwiburn, Hunterville NZ
Another chapter in Marika's ongoing artistic and spiritual exploration of the sloth. Using the Shadow Chateau tipi as our space, Marika and I assembled a collection of found instruments such as bamboo rattles, metal pipes, river stones in a bowl, and pot lids, along with sloth-themed paraphernalia, fairy lights and other ephemera, to create an interactive sound installation. Sloths At Sunrise was one of many imaginative artworks in the participatory Kiwiburn festival.
2015
The Moth and The Moon
Created by The Shadow Chateau for CubaDupa (March 2015)
A moth and an unnamed character are lured away from the city by a cheeky street light, and then things start to get a bit weird.
This playful short show, sans dialogue, played on repeat to small audiences inside my homemade tipi in Te Aro Park over one night of the CubaDupa festival. The Moth and The Moon was also revived for the Out of the Suitcase Puppet Festival in October 2015.
Created by The Shadow Chateau for CubaDupa (March 2015)
A moth and an unnamed character are lured away from the city by a cheeky street light, and then things start to get a bit weird.
This playful short show, sans dialogue, played on repeat to small audiences inside my homemade tipi in Te Aro Park over one night of the CubaDupa festival. The Moth and The Moon was also revived for the Out of the Suitcase Puppet Festival in October 2015.
Pickles
Swamp Doctor's debut album, self-released August 1, 2015
Recorded at Innermost Gardens, Mount Victoria, Wellington by Rohan Hill and Swamp Doctor. Mixed by John Wilson and mastered by Rohan Hill. All songs by Swamp Doctor.
Review
Swamp Doctor's debut album, self-released August 1, 2015
Recorded at Innermost Gardens, Mount Victoria, Wellington by Rohan Hill and Swamp Doctor. Mixed by John Wilson and mastered by Rohan Hill. All songs by Swamp Doctor.
Review
Tarantella music video conceived by Swamp Doctor, Esther Ridell, and Natalie Cheetham. Filmed by Esther and Natalie, edited by Natalie.
2014
Naga: New Music for Gamelan
Gamelan Padhang Moncar/Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, Rattle Records (released April 2014)
The album Naga was recorded by the gamelan ensembles Gamelan Taniwha Jaya and Gamelan Padhang Moncar at the conclusion of a period of development of new works for our Indonesian tour in July 2013. I played as a member of both ensembles and also contributed improvised accordion work on one track. Naga features 13 new works composed by members of both ensembles.
Listen / Review
A Symphony of Sloths
Composed and directed by Marika Pratley, at Puppies as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival (February 2014)
“An original meditative musical experience featuring DIY electronics, astro-travel and Sloths.” Over a process of several weeks I was part of a group of musicians developing a semi-improvised musical work inspired by the slow-moving and endangered sloth, using gamelan instruments, electronics, and found instruments such as wine glasses. The final performance featured video projections, sloth costumes, and a sloth robot and was put on at Wellington live music bar Puppies. I also created costumes and a sloth robot for a return performance.
Review
Gamelan Padhang Moncar/Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, Rattle Records (released April 2014)
The album Naga was recorded by the gamelan ensembles Gamelan Taniwha Jaya and Gamelan Padhang Moncar at the conclusion of a period of development of new works for our Indonesian tour in July 2013. I played as a member of both ensembles and also contributed improvised accordion work on one track. Naga features 13 new works composed by members of both ensembles.
Listen / Review
A Symphony of Sloths
Composed and directed by Marika Pratley, at Puppies as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival (February 2014)
“An original meditative musical experience featuring DIY electronics, astro-travel and Sloths.” Over a process of several weeks I was part of a group of musicians developing a semi-improvised musical work inspired by the slow-moving and endangered sloth, using gamelan instruments, electronics, and found instruments such as wine glasses. The final performance featured video projections, sloth costumes, and a sloth robot and was put on at Wellington live music bar Puppies. I also created costumes and a sloth robot for a return performance.
Review
2013
Toucan Stubbs
Toucan Stubbs was an experimental folk project with Theo Taylor. Our collaboration wrapped up in around 2013. We never officially released any music but here's a taste of a live performance.
Toucan Stubbs was an experimental folk project with Theo Taylor. Our collaboration wrapped up in around 2013. We never officially released any music but here's a taste of a live performance.
Wolf
Directed by Claire O'Loughlin, at People's Cinema (December 2013)
“A live performance exploring physical, feminine and feral freedom that refuses to pander to stereotypes.” This was an experimental work of devised theatre in which the three actors embodied wolves to raise questions about notions of civilised femininity, such as good grooming and polite behaviour. My sound design included live glockenspiel and violin, as well as recorded elements.
This Fair Verona
A PlayShop production, directed by Lori Leigh, at BATS Theatre (October 2013)
“An improvised love story of Shakespearean proportions.” Improv theatre company PlayShop called on Theo Taylor and I, then playing together as Toucan Stubbs, to perform improvised music to accompany their attempts to put on a fully improvised love story following Shakespearean form and conventions. We used guitar, violin, and a variety of small and found instruments such as glockenspiel, melodica, egg shaker and pot lids as percussion to accompany and sometimes direct the action.
This Fair Verona returned to the Southern Cross bar later in 2013 and in 2014 for an event raising funds for Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ.
“Playshop is on to another winner with This Fair Verona […] With excellent musical accompaniment from Toucan Stubbs – Theo Taylor and Stephanie Cairns – the tale trips along at a good pace.” - Review
Gamelan Padhang Moncar/Taniwha Jaya Indonesian Tour, July 2013
The Javanese gamelan ensemble Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Balinese group Gamelan Taniwha Jaya toured Indonesia in 2013, visiting five different cities in Java and Bali and giving 14 performances including one at the Yogyakarta International Gamelan Festival. The tour was also an opportunity to learn more about Indonesian culture and strengthen our connections there. We developed 13 new compositions for the tour which are recorded on the album Naga.
Directed by Claire O'Loughlin, at People's Cinema (December 2013)
“A live performance exploring physical, feminine and feral freedom that refuses to pander to stereotypes.” This was an experimental work of devised theatre in which the three actors embodied wolves to raise questions about notions of civilised femininity, such as good grooming and polite behaviour. My sound design included live glockenspiel and violin, as well as recorded elements.
This Fair Verona
A PlayShop production, directed by Lori Leigh, at BATS Theatre (October 2013)
“An improvised love story of Shakespearean proportions.” Improv theatre company PlayShop called on Theo Taylor and I, then playing together as Toucan Stubbs, to perform improvised music to accompany their attempts to put on a fully improvised love story following Shakespearean form and conventions. We used guitar, violin, and a variety of small and found instruments such as glockenspiel, melodica, egg shaker and pot lids as percussion to accompany and sometimes direct the action.
This Fair Verona returned to the Southern Cross bar later in 2013 and in 2014 for an event raising funds for Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ.
“Playshop is on to another winner with This Fair Verona […] With excellent musical accompaniment from Toucan Stubbs – Theo Taylor and Stephanie Cairns – the tale trips along at a good pace.” - Review
Gamelan Padhang Moncar/Taniwha Jaya Indonesian Tour, July 2013
The Javanese gamelan ensemble Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Balinese group Gamelan Taniwha Jaya toured Indonesia in 2013, visiting five different cities in Java and Bali and giving 14 performances including one at the Yogyakarta International Gamelan Festival. The tour was also an opportunity to learn more about Indonesian culture and strengthen our connections there. We developed 13 new compositions for the tour which are recorded on the album Naga.
2011-12
A Beggar's Opera
A Long Cloud Youth Theatre production, directed by Stella Reid (August 2012)
A copyright-lite adaption of 'The Threepenny Opera'. Live music with Theo Taylor as Toucan Stubbs - based on Bertolt Brecht's score, with original additions.
Wayang Kulit, WOMAD 2012
At WOMAD 2012 Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed traditional music to accompany a Javanese shadow puppet show. This was a collaboration with acclaimed Javanese puppeteer Joko Susilo, who is based in Dunedin.
Wake Less
A Binge Culture Collective production, directed by Joel Baxendale at BATS Theatre (November 2011) and Auckland's New Performance Festival (February 2012)
Wake Less was an exploration of dream states, with audience interaction, improvised elements, work with masks and live projections; produced for the BATS Theatre 2012 STAB commission for groundbreaking new theatre work. I created the sound design; including a surreal sound landscape operated through Ableton Live and live piano music.
After its initial season Wake Less was invited to the New Performance Festival in Auckland - review.
Beat Beat Beat
At the Brooklyn bunkers, Wellington Fringe Festival, (February 2011)
A musical-theatrical 'happening' at the abandoned WW2 bunkers on top of Brooklyn Hill, featuring found instruments, installations, audience interaction and howling at the moon. Based around the idea of a post-apocalyptic tribe only capable of communicating through music. Co-created with Helen O'Rourke and our group of 12 performers.
A Long Cloud Youth Theatre production, directed by Stella Reid (August 2012)
A copyright-lite adaption of 'The Threepenny Opera'. Live music with Theo Taylor as Toucan Stubbs - based on Bertolt Brecht's score, with original additions.
Wayang Kulit, WOMAD 2012
At WOMAD 2012 Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed traditional music to accompany a Javanese shadow puppet show. This was a collaboration with acclaimed Javanese puppeteer Joko Susilo, who is based in Dunedin.
Wake Less
A Binge Culture Collective production, directed by Joel Baxendale at BATS Theatre (November 2011) and Auckland's New Performance Festival (February 2012)
Wake Less was an exploration of dream states, with audience interaction, improvised elements, work with masks and live projections; produced for the BATS Theatre 2012 STAB commission for groundbreaking new theatre work. I created the sound design; including a surreal sound landscape operated through Ableton Live and live piano music.
After its initial season Wake Less was invited to the New Performance Festival in Auckland - review.
Beat Beat Beat
At the Brooklyn bunkers, Wellington Fringe Festival, (February 2011)
A musical-theatrical 'happening' at the abandoned WW2 bunkers on top of Brooklyn Hill, featuring found instruments, installations, audience interaction and howling at the moon. Based around the idea of a post-apocalyptic tribe only capable of communicating through music. Co-created with Helen O'Rourke and our group of 12 performers.
2009-10
Minge
Directed by Fiona MacNamara, BATS Theatre (December 2010)
A “celebration and interrogation of womanhood in New Zealand”, for which I wrote several musical theatre-style songs for the actors. These and other pieces of original music were performed live with Helen O'Rourke in a sold-out season at BATS.
Animal Hour
Binge Culture Collective, directed by Joel Baxendale (July 2009/ 2010)
A devised theatre work blending reality TV, YouTube comments, nature documentaries and musings on the line between humans and animals. Original live music co-written and performed with Jake Baxendale and Gareth Hobbs.
Animal Hour was reworked and performed with another work, Drowning Bird Plummetting Fish in Wellington and Auckland in 2010.
Directed by Fiona MacNamara, BATS Theatre (December 2010)
A “celebration and interrogation of womanhood in New Zealand”, for which I wrote several musical theatre-style songs for the actors. These and other pieces of original music were performed live with Helen O'Rourke in a sold-out season at BATS.
Animal Hour
Binge Culture Collective, directed by Joel Baxendale (July 2009/ 2010)
A devised theatre work blending reality TV, YouTube comments, nature documentaries and musings on the line between humans and animals. Original live music co-written and performed with Jake Baxendale and Gareth Hobbs.
Animal Hour was reworked and performed with another work, Drowning Bird Plummetting Fish in Wellington and Auckland in 2010.
